mare's-nest

mare's-nest
/mairz"nest'/, n.
1. something imagined to be an extraordinary discovery but proving to be a delusion or a hoax: The announced cure for the disease was merely another mare's-nest.
2. an extremely confused, entangled, or disordered place, situation, etc.: We just moved in, and the place is a mare's-nest.
[1610-20]

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mare's nest — may refer to A hoax or illusion All That Glitters Is a Mares Nest, a record by the Cardiacs The Mare s Nest, a book by David Irving This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an …   Wikipedia

  • mare's-nest — n. A supposed discovery which turns out to be a hoax; something grossly absurd. [1913 Webster] 2. A confused multitude of things. Syn: clutter, jumble, muddle, welter, smother. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mare's-nest — [merz′nest΄] n. 1. something supposed to be a wonderful discovery but turning out to be a hoax or a delusion 2. a disorderly or confused condition; mess …   English World dictionary

  • mare's-nest — mare s′ nest n. 1) a discovery that proves to be a delusion or a hoax 2) a very confused or disordered place or situation • Etymology: 1610–20 …   From formal English to slang

  • mare's nest — ► NOUN 1) a muddle. 2) an illusory discovery …   English terms dictionary

  • mare's nest — noun a confused multitude of things • Syn: ↑clutter, ↑jumble, ↑muddle, ↑fuddle, ↑welter, ↑smother • Derivationally related forms: ↑muddle (for: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • mare's-nest — /mairz nest /, n. 1. something imagined to be an extraordinary discovery but proving to be a delusion or a hoax: The announced cure for the disease was merely another mare s nest. 2. an extremely confused, entangled, or disordered place,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • mare's nest — noun (plural mare s nests or mares nests) Date: 1576 1. a false discovery, illusion, or deliberate hoax 2. a place, condition, or situation of great disorder or confusion < a mare s nest of intrigue and troubles with the money men William Cole > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mare's nest — {n. phr.} Something that doesn t exist; a discovery that proves to be worthless. * /He claims that he has discovered a gasoline substitute but we suspect it will turn out to be a mare s nest./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • mare's nest — {n. phr.} Something that doesn t exist; a discovery that proves to be worthless. * /He claims that he has discovered a gasoline substitute but we suspect it will turn out to be a mare s nest./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”